Windows 7 (previously codenamed Blackcomb and Vienna) is scheduled to be the next major version of Microsoft Windows, expected to be the successor of Windows Vista. Microsoft has announced that it is “scoping Windows 7 development to a three-year timeframe”, and that “the specific release date will ultimately be determined by meeting the quality bar.” The client versions of Windows 7 will ship in both 32-bit and 64-bit versions, even though the server counterpart (which will succeed Windows Server 2008) will be exclusively 64-bit.
Microsoft is maintaining a policy of silence concerning discussion of plans and aspirations for Windows 7 as they focus on the release and marketing of Windows Vista, stating that Microsoft doesn’t want to promise features and then fail to deliver, though some early details of various core operating system features have emerged. As a result, little is known about the feature set, though public presentations from company officials have disseminated information about some features. Leaked information from people to whom M1 of Windows 7 was shipped also provide some insight into the feature set.
Milestone 1 of Windows 7 (Build 6519)
Developer Microsoft
Release information Release date: H2 2009-2011
Preview version: Milestone 1 (6.1.6519.1) (December 20, 2007)
Source model: Closed source
License: Microsoft EULA
Kernel type: Hybrid Kernel
Support status Alpha
RELEASES :
The first known build of Windows 7 was identified as a “Milestone 1 (M1) code drop” according to reports sent to TG Daily and has a version number of 6.1.6519.1 according to various reports. It was sent to key Microsoft partners by January 2008 in both x86 and x64 version. Though not yet confirmed by Microsoft, reviews and screenshots have been published by various sources. Features described include Gadgets being integrated into Windows Explorer, a Gadget for Windows Media Center, and the ability to visually pin and unpin items from the Start Menu and Recycle Bin, improved media features and a new XPS Viewer.
|
Version |
Build |
Build date |
|
Milestone 1 (M1) |
6519.1 |
December 20, 2007 |
Reports also indicate that a feedback tool included in Windows 7 lists some coming features: the ability to store Internet Explorer settings on a Windows Live account, new versions of Calculator, Paint and WordPad that use Windows Presentation Foundation, and a 10 minute install process. UI changes are expected to appear in later builds of Windows 7, though there is already a bright bootscreen present, somewhat resembling pre-XP versions of Windows.
